The Aftermath

08

Teri was wearing a deep red blouse which set off the red highlights in her auburn hair, and added warmth to her pale skin. She also wore gray slacks, and some sharp looking running-shoes; New Balance. She was a business woman on the move, and dressed accordingly. They talked a little about the weather and traffic while getting coffee. Tom noticed she wasn't being flirtatious with him at all, which was a good sign.

Tom never cheated on Samantha, and had never been tempted. Samantha was what made the world beautiful, and without her the world was a heartless desert. He wished he knew how to say that to her in a way which didn't sound so silly. But the fact remained, Tom believed to his bones the only reason things in this world were beautiful or attractive to him was because Samantha was in his life. So when women flirted with him, he discouraged it and if they pressed he played with his wedding ring and talked about his daughter.

"So how was your day so far?" Teri asked sitting down with her cup, loaded with cream and sugar.

"Awkward. You?" Tom asked.

"Busy." Teri said with a smile.

"So, the thirty-second pitch." Tom inquired.

"It goes like this." Teri began. "I want to do a piece on men and women who, like you, were accused of murder, but acquitted, and what their lives were like afterward. I've done some preliminary research, and what I am turning up in many cases is: they might as well have been found guilty. Most of them were ostracized from their professional areas, and their social areas. Some even lost connection with their family. What I attribute this to, is exactly what is happening to you, the media has found you guilty, and so therefore you are, no matter what the courts have to say."

Tom sipped his coffee, and then added a packet of sugar, "What do you need from me?"

"All you can give. At the very least I would like to interview you, and your family about the trial and what is going on now it is over."

"How much will you print?"

"Not sure I can answer that. As much as I can, obviously. There are several angles I can cover with this, and I'm sure I'll think of more as I'm writing the stories."

"I really don't need more bad press." Tom told her, and took a sip of his coffee. His eyes scanned the crowd, partially looking for Mr. Stewart. "What if I don't like what you write?"

Teri shifted in her seat and took a sip of her coffee, "I'll write what I find, and what is the truth. I won't hype it for you or against you. These aren't going to be front page news for anyone. I would be happy if they were on the front page of the Social section or the Lifestyle section. I'm looking to do awareness articles, not hype and breaking news. Other than promising you that much, I can't help you with that particular question. I'll write what I find, but I'm sure that you will like the articles, or at the very least, agree with them."

Tom let this settle into his mind and his emotions. His first reaction was to politely say no, and walk away. But remembering George and Jenifer, and Samantha's family, as well as the social life of high school for Angie, maybe some press wouldn't be a bad idea. Maybe having innocent man written down a few times would bring the message around. "Let me change the subject for a moment and get your take on something."

"What's up?" Teri asked and took a gulp of her coffee.

Tom told her about the encounter with Jim Stewart.

"That had to be a bit freaky." She said, finishing her cup of coffee.

"It was a bit unnerving." Tom admitted, "What do you think he wanted?"

Teri thought about it and then said, "To look you in the eye."

"He looked me in the eye in the court room."

"Yeah, but this is your turf." She explained. "Maybe he wants to tell you he's not afraid of you."

"Never thought he was, but I get your meaning. Sort of -- meet me on my home ground, and take a shot at me using my own game." Tom surmised.

"Something like that."

"Except he lost." Tom added, "Wonder if that means he'll be around again."

Teri played with her cup for a bit and said, "Probably."

"Maybe I lost that hand after all."

"Is that who you have been looking for in the crowd?" Teri asked.

"Yep." Tom admitted, "It could be he was trying a macho thing to sooth his ego, and it might be that he is here to kill me."

"You think that is possible?"

"All I have to do is think about someone torturing and killing Angie, and homicide becomes an easy thing to do." Tom told her.

"Ok, looked at like that, perhaps you should get security to walk you to your car."

"Not a bad idea." Tom nodded.

"So what are your thoughts on the articles?" Teri asked.

"My thinking right now is yes, but I want to talk it over with Samantha and Angie before I go any further." He said.

"Any further than telling a reporter some of the victim's families may be out to kill you?"

"Exactly." He smiled.

"Well, here is my card, give me a call tomorrow or later tonight and let me know, alright?"

"Certainly. I'll talk to them as soon as I get home." He told her, and stood up, the meeting over.

"Thanks for giving me more than thirty-seconds." She told him. "I think I'll hang back here, and play some poker."

"You don't want to walk into the parking lot with me?" Tom jibed.

"I write the news, I'm not particularly interested in becoming the news." She agreed.

"What happen to eye-witness reporting?" Tom sighed.

"They have cameras here. I can watch the re-runs." She smiled.

Tom walked away and down the wide hall to the security desk. He told them he was carrying a lot of winnings and would like an escort to his car. They obliged without comment. It was a common request.